Smart People, Foolish Choices - SOD

April Fool's Day is traditionally about pranksters pulling one over on dim-witted marks, but this year we examine how 10 characters (who should know better) have systematically managed to ridicule themselves by making some pretty moronic moves. Let the pity party begin....

Pity the Fool

Jennifer Rappaport
(Jessica Morris)

Jennifer has changed a lot. She's clever, then she's wholesome, then she's evil -- is that hard to keep up with?
"It's okay," smiles Morris. "In real life, a person's not completely bad or completely good all the time. I'm hoping that she grows up a little bit, maybe gets a job and finds a guy who helps her be a better person."

What was her first foolish move?
"It all happened so fast. The first stupid thing she did was marry Al because he was paralyzed and she was feeling guilty. if I were in love with someone, I wouldn't marry someone else for any reason, guilt or anything. I would never do that; I'm not that selfless."

It's amazing that Cristain ran right back to her after Al proved that he could walk.
"I can't understand how the relationship with Cristain could have survived after that. I'm sure it killed whatever was between them because the loyalty and trust were gone."

Of course, then she turned around and did other foolish things.
"Sure. That was the first thing, but the worst was probably the fake pregnancy. To play with someone's emotions like that, telling him he's a father, and then really he's not, that's pretty sick."

Did it annoy you, having to play 'stupid' things?
"No, it was pretty fun. I knew a lot of fans probably hated me, but I don't really care because it was a lot of fun."

So, you never complained to the writers?
"Well, I knew it would ease off a bit. I got a little irritated because they kept having me do speeches like, "I'm going to make Cristain suffer,' and I'd already done a couple of those. So, a couple of times when they write the same monologue again and again, I said, 'How about I cut it a little bit?' Enough, already."

You don't seem to take it personally when the writers have Jennifer do dumb things.
"No, it's a job. But I feel close to my character. If people say mean things on message boards - honestly, I do take it kind of personally. I feel like I give of myself when I'm playing the part. Even when she does crazy things that I wouldn't do in real life - it's the writing they give me, and I'm doing the best I can. Even if Jen is an annoying character, that is the character that was written and that's what I'm portraying the best I can to make it real to myself."


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